Metropolitan Zenon – People engaged in an unequal war tell us that they remember our pain; when bombs fall on Ukrainian cities, do we have the right to forget the hand that once saved our people from death? - Our solidarity must be unwavering

Archbishop Zenon of Dmanisi and Agarak-Tashir states that Georgia’s place today is alongside Ukraine.

He says that when bombs fall on Ukrainian cities, solidarity must be unwavering—a duty that is both human and historical for us.

Specifically, the Archbishop is commenting on a banner unfurled by Ukrainian fans at the stadium during the Georgia-Ukraine football match, which read: "Sokhumi is Georgia."

In a detailed statement, Archbishop Zenon speaks about the assistance Ukrainians provided to Georgia during the fall of Sokhumi.

"Almost everyone saw how Ukrainian fans unfurled a banner:

'SOKHUMI IS SAKARTVELO

7634 LIVES SAVED BY UKRAINE

WE REMEMBER!'

In the autumn of 1993, immediately following the fall of Sokhumi, Ukraine responded to our problem. The wounded and displaced were evacuated from Sukhumi by ship, while military pilots—risking their lives and often operating under fire—transported children, mothers, the elderly, and families stranded on the snowy passes of Svaneti to safety. They were fleeing death in the mountains. Many of our compatriots are alive today solely because, back then, Ukraine snatched them from the jaws of death.

Between October 10 and 14, 17 Ukrainian helicopters carried out 291 flights, transporting 7,643 people to safety. They also delivered 487 tons of humanitarian aid.

The day after the 33rd anniversary of the fall of Sokhumi, Ukrainians are reminding us of this history on the football pitch. People currently engaged in an unequal war are telling us that they remember our pain. This is something more than friendship: it is a brotherhood that transcends national borders and is forged through mutual support in times of adversity.

As bombs rain down on Ukrainian cities and the Ukrainian people endure the burden of an unjust war, do we have the right to forget the hand that once saved our people from death? Today, our place is beside Ukraine. Our solidarity must be unwavering. This is our human and historical duty," writes Zenon Iarajuli.